Let’s toast to summer’s last weeks. Great weather, cooler temps, and less crowds make this the perfect time for a PA craft brew. To help you know where to head, we’ve compiled a sampling of picturesque beer gardens. Drink it in. Then, visit one, two or all twenty. Cheers!
1. Ship Bottom Beer Garden
Media
Linvilla Orchards has teamed up with Ship Bottom Brewery to bring you signature refreshments at their Ship Bottom Beer Garden. This new pop-up delivers on games like cornhole and giant Jenga during the day and hosts a mean bonfire at night, making it the ultimate spot to unwind and share a pint with friends. Best of all, select ales are crafted using Linvilla’s own farm-grown products, making each sip truly unique.
2. Clarion River Brewing Company
Clarion
Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Clarion, the Back Alley Brew Yard at Clarion River Brewing Company reflects the town’s colorful history with craft beers named after historical events that took place in the county. Belly up to the bar and take your pick from their list of craft beers that are brewed on-site and can be paired with tasty bites like buffalo chicken dip. If you’re still on the fence about visiting this local open-air hotspot, did we mention they also have nacho night?
3. Brew Gentlemen’s Pop-Up Beer Gardens
Pittsburgh
Visitors of Steel City can enjoy Brew Gentlemen’s award-winning craft beers in not one, but two locations. If you find yourself in Braddock or in downtown Pittsburgh at Steel Plaza, these two open-air beer gardens will be serving up a wide variety of their refreshing brews to help you cool down from the summer heat.
4. Rodin Museum Beer Garden
Philadelphia
Spend a Friday evening among the outdoor sculptures and greenery of the Rodin Museum at The Garden Bar. Enjoy live music, cocktails, and small plates while taking in this serene oasis hidden among the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia’s arts corridor. Leashed furry friends are welcome, too!
5. Chinatown Beer Garden
Philadelphia
In the heart of Chinatown, immerse yourself in the rich culture of Philadelphia’s fastest growing immigrant group while sipping on delicious brews at one of the city’s newest outdoor venue, Chinatown Beer Garden. You can discover a unique selection of imported beers and indulge in traditional Asian cuisine.
6. Fair Chance Beer Garden
Philadelphia
If you didn’t know that Eastern State Penitentiary was a beer destination, now you do! The legendary prison is serving up sips in addition to scary stories this summer at The Fair Chance Beer Garden founded in partnership with Triple Bottom Brewing Company. If you're going to be hearing about the historical haunts of the prison, you might as well bring some hoppiness with you.
7. Penn Brewery
Pittsburgh
Since Penn Brewery was resurrected in 1986 in a building where beermaking has been taking place since 1870, the brewers have been committed to authentic German brewing – from following 16th-century Bavarian Reinheitsgebot purity laws to hosting a biergarten in the cobblestone courtyard. In addition to award winning beer, Penn Brewery and Biergarten offers a menu that pays tribute to the German beermakers who originally brewed in the neighborhood with dishes such as potato pancakes, wienerschnitzel, and spaetzle, as well as traditional bar food.
8. Church Brew Works
Pittsburgh
What was once a former Catholic church is now a lofty indoor space and garden where beer lovers come to worship their favorite beverage. Church Brew Works takes their services seriously with a full beer menu featuring selections such as the ThunderHop IPA and the Pious Monk Dunkel. Grab your favorite to go in a six-pack or growler, or enjoy an eclectic array of tasty plates on the brick courtyard.
9. Strange Roots Experimental Ales
Pittsburgh
Strange Roots Experimental Ales exists at the intersection of farmhouse brewing tradition and creative, locally driven experimentation. With locations in Millvale and Gibsonia, they have not one, but two beer gardens open all summer long, where you can pair their artisanal creations with plates from local food trucks. On the weekends, you can also enjoy live music, so don’t be a stranger!
10. Benny Brewing Co.
Wilkes-Barre
Boy oh boy does Benny Brewing Co. have options. With more than 19 beers brewed onsite as well as various single-batch beers showcased throughout the year, your taste buds will never be bored at this spot. Their food menu is loaded with fresh, handheld favorites, such as their rack of ribs, which they smoke on-site in their cherry wood barbecue pit. Make sure to leave at least one hand free so you can take on competitors in a friendly game of giant Jenga in Benny’s outdoor beer garden.
11. Thirsty Farmer Brew Works
Biglerville
Quench your thirst at Thirsty Farmer Brew Works with its endless selection of ales, lagers, handcrafted ciders, and nine beers on tap at any given time. Many of their beers and hard ciders are brewed from the seven varieties of hops and more than 30 varieties of apples grown on-site. At this family-owned brewery, you can sit back, relax, and soak in the simplistic beauty of farm life with a drink in one hand and their light, fresh fare in the other.
12. Oliver’s Beer Garden
Erie
Located on the waterfront, Oliver’s Beer Garden is Erie’s newest outdoor attraction. The view of Lake Erie is just as impeccable as the craft brews and curated cocktails, which are served alongside delicious snacks from their food truck. Get Ship Faced it’s their signature brew, we swear! as you watch popular local musicians and bands perform every Friday and Saturday.
13. Locust Lane Beer Garden at Highlands Orchard
West Chester
Now through October, the 200-acre working farm of Highland Orchards is partnering with Locust Lane Craft Brewery to present a pop-up beer garden on Saturdays and Sundays. Before settling down, partake in farm fun with pick-your-own experiences, hayrides, and a farmers market. Then, reward yourself with some draft beers, cans, or a four-pack and wash down some food truck goodies.
14. Voodoo Brewing Company
Meadville
Founded in Meadville in 2005, Voodoo Brewing Company now has eight locations in PA offering righteous relaxation and smooth suds. Their award-winning, handcrafted beer isn’t produced by magic — they take pride in paying attention to detail and using only the freshest ingredients. Stop by their 3rd Annual Good Vibes Beer Fest on Jul. 9 that brings craft beer lovers together to revel in a day of laid-back music, delicious local food, and the best lineup of craft breweries in the nation.
15. Mechanistic Brewing Company
Clarion
Science is king at this family-run nanobrewery. Housed in a renovated garage, Mechanistic Brewing Company rolls up the door to a large outdoor space that often features food trucks, live music, and pop-up events. This small brewery focuses on the chemistry of its recipes to recreate traditional beers as well as concoct modern styles, giving you plenty of opportunity to try something new!
16. Lost In the Wilds Brewing
Shippenville
Getting lost in the woods isn’t so bad when you stumble across this brewery. Lost In the Wilds Brewing is located along the Rail 66 Country Trail and offers house-made craft beer and PA wine and spirits that complement food truck fare and make you feel at home. Use the brewery’s seating in their spacious outdoor area or feel free to bring your own chair, picnic blanket, or lawn games.
17. Barley Creek Brewing Company’s Pint Size Park & Biergarten
Tannersville
Don’t be fooled by the name Barley Creek Brewing Company’s Pint Size Park & Biergarten delivers big on summer fun, complete with fire pits and plenty of room for Wiffle ball, cornhole, bocce, and other big yard games. The Park features a one-of-a-kind food truck menu of barbequed specialties smoked onsite, which pair epically with their Tiki Bar cocktails and, of course, handcrafted brews.
18. Bru Daddy’s Brewing Co.
Allentown
If you find yourself exploring the city’s downtown, The Garden at Bru Daddy’s Brewing Co. makes a brew-tiful pit stop. The Bavarian-inspired outdoor space offers authentic beer garden tables, an outdoor fire pit area, and an endless supply of brews for you and your crew. Pick from artisanal craft beers made onsite or their rotating assortment of traditional, new age, and seasonal lagers and ales, and be sure to check out their menu for specials and delicious, ever-changing dishes.
19. Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.
Hawley
The Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. brews up award-winning beer with “lake” affection.The 14,000 square foot brewery and brewpub includes a beer garden adjacent to Lake Wallenpaupack, which serves as inspiration for their menu. Though they offer top-quality beer, they strive for a laid-back, family-friendly vibe with picnic tables, yard games, and a kids’ menu. Don’t wade around – find out why they were named “PA Brewery of the Year” by the New York International Beer Competition and stop on by!
20. The Millworks
Harrisburg
Last but certainly not least, The Millworks offers a uniquely Central PA experience by putting local artistic talents and bountiful agriculture front and center. Sit atop the roof deck and enjoy expansive views of Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River while enjoying a seasonal cocktail, or sip an award-winning craft beer as you stroll the artist studios during one of their open house events. Downstairs, the indoor dining room and outdoor patio offer full dining menus of unique recipes made with locally sourced ingredients.
To discover even more breweries in PA, check out the visitPA website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more PA inspiration. Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter so you never miss an update.